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B8 (Croatia)
Encyclopedia
The A8 motorway formerly known as the B8 expressway , is a 64 kilometres (39.8 mi) motorway in Croatia
. It connects the A7 motorway
near Rijeka
with the road network in the Istria
n peninsula via the Učka Tunnel
. The road terminates at the Kanfanar interchange
with the A9 motorway, as the two form the Istrian Y
road system. The motorway's national significance is reflected in its positive economic impact
on the cities and towns it connects, as well as its importance to tourism in Croatia
. The importance of the motorway for tourism is particularly high during summer tourist seasons, when traffic volume increases by about 50 percent.
Construction of the A8 motorway and the Istrian Y can be traced back to 1968 when the Croatian Parliament decided to build a modern road linking Istria with the rest of Croatia. Subsequently, a public loan to fund the construction works was started. The construction works started in 1976 and in 1981 the Učka Tunnel and a 22.6 kilometres (14 mi) section of the route between Matulji and Lupoglav were completed as a single-carriageway expressway. Lupoglav–Cerovlje was the next section to be completed in 1988. The route was extended to Rogovići interchange between 1992 and 1998 and the remaining section to Kanfanar was completed in 1999 as a two-lane expressway. In 2011, the expressway route started to expand gradually with addition of a new carriageway and emergency lanes; the route's first section, the Kanfanar–Rogovići section, was completed in October 2011. Expansion of the route to the motorway standards including six lanes and grade separation of all its interchanges is scheduled by 2015, when the second tube of the Učka Tunnel as well as a new route connecting the tunnel to the A7 motorway is planned. As the construction works slowed down in the 1990s due to lack of funding, a build-operate-transfer
concession for the Istrian Y was granted to BINA Istra
for a period of 32 years.
All intersections of the expressway are grade separated
, except for a single intersection currently regulated by traffic lights, but this is planned to be bypassed eventually by a new route in the area. As of September 2011, there were ten exits and two rest area
s along the route. As the motorway is tolled
using a ticket system
, each exit includes a toll plaza. The A8/A9 system of the Istrian Y have an integrated toll system in place. The motorway is currently toll free, with an exception of the Učka Tunnel
and the Kanfanar
-Rogovići
, crossing the eastern and central parts of Istria
. It connects Rijeka
, the largest city on the northern Adriatic
coast of Croatia, to Istria via the Kanfanar interchange
shared with the A9 motorway. This part of road network of Croatia
is also a part of European route E751
Koper–Kanfanar
–Pula and Kanfanar-Rijeka
. The route is legally defined as the A8 motorway but its sections east of the Rogovići interchange are constructed as a two-lane expressway. The route is economically
important to Croatia, especially for tourism
and as a transit transport route. The road carries significant transit and tourist traffic route as it represents the largest-capacity road link between Istria and Kvarner Gulf
region, and the nation's capital, Zagreb
.
The motorway covers 64 kilometres (39.8 mi) between the Kanfanar interchange, where the A8 route terminates and motorway traffic switches to the A9 motorway and the D303 state road, and the Matulji
interchange with the A7 motorway
. The A8 route also forms junctions with state roads D48 near Pazin
, D44 near Lupoglav
, connecting Buzet
, D500 adjacent to the western portal of the Učka Tunnel
and the D8 providing access to Volosko
, Opatija
, Ičići
and Lovran
. There are also several county roads forming direct junctions with the A8. In total, there are 10 exits along the route.
The A8 route consists of four traffic lanes west of the Rogovići interchange and two traffic lanes; emergency lay-bys are also available at different intervals along the rest of the route. The route comprises several types of road intersections at the motorway exits. All the exits, except the D8 junction near Opatija, are grade-separated intersections. The Kanfanar interchange
is a cloverleaf interchange
. Žminj
and Matulji
interchanges are trumpets, diamond interchange
s are executed at Rogovići, Ivoli, Vranja and Veprinac—the last two somewhat modified, Lupoglav
interchange is a partial cloverleaf interchange and Cerovlje
exit comprises a hybrid diamond/parclo interchange. There are two rest areas along the route providing services, ranging from filling stations to cafés. As of September 2011, the motorway had ten interchanges and a roundabout at the northern terminus, the latter providing access to numerous towns and cities and the Croatian state road network.
An automatic traffic monitoring and guidance system is installed along the motorway. It consists of measuring, control and signalling devices located in zones where driving conditions may vary, such as at interchanges, viaducts, bridges and zones where fog and strong wind are known to occur. The system uses variable-traffic signs to communicate changing driving conditions, possible restrictions and other information to motorway users. The A8 motorway mainly runs through the rolling hills of Istria, although the eastern part of the route crosses under the Učka
mountain via the Učka Tunnel.
, the third-longest road tunnel in Croatia. It provides the shortest road connection between Istria and the remainder of the Croatian road network. There are only two traffic lanes in the tunnel, therefore vehicle speed in the tunnel is limited to 80 kilometres per hour (49.7 mph). It is equipped with 83 security cameras, 538 fire detectors, 39 fire hydrants, 74 emergency stations, and five vehicle emergency areas.
based on the vehicle classification in Croatia
using a closed toll system
. The ticket system was introduced all along the Istrian Y system as of June 2011. Toll is charged for use of the Učka Tunnel and the Kanfanar–Rogovići section only, and the remaining sections of the motorway are toll-free as of November 2011. Regardless, toll tickets are issued and collected on all expressway exits, even though some travel distances may be free of charge, since the A8 and the A9 routes share a unified ticket system. Therefore vehicles switching between the A8 and the A9 at the Kanfanar interchange are charged toll only as they leave the Istrian Y system no matter where their toll ticket was issued. The toll charge for the entire length of the motorway ranges from 36.00 kuna
(€
4.80) for passenger cars to 205.00 kuna (€27.33) for semi-trailer truck
s. The toll is payable in either Croatian kuna or euros using major credit cards, debit cards and a number of prepaid toll collection systems. The latter includes various types of smart cards issued by the motorway operator and ENC, an electronic toll collection
(ETC) system which is shared at most motorways in Croatia and provides drivers with discounted toll rates for dedicated lanes at toll plazas.
The operator of the expressway, BINA Istra, reported 65.8 million kuna (€8.9 million), without VAT, of income in the first half of 2011. This represented a 30.8-percent increase compared to the same period of the previous year. The figure includes the entire Istrian Y system, i.e. the A8 expressway and the A9 motorway. Major part of the increase is attributed to introduction of the closed toll system along the A9 route, replacing an open toll system where the toll was charged at the Mirna Bridge
and the Učka Tunnel only.
The Y shape formed by the A8 and the A9 routes was originally defined by spatial planning documents enacted in Rijeka and Istria, subsequently incorporated in spatial planning documents of the Republic of Croatia in 1988. Lupoglav–Cerovlje was the next section to be completed in 1988. The A8 route was extended to Rogovići interchange between 1992 and 1998 and the remaining section to Kanfanar was completed in 1999.
As the construction works were comparatively slow due to lack of funding, a motorway concession for the A8 and A9 motorways was granted to BINA Istra for a period of 32 years. The build-operate-transfer
concession agreement mandated construction, maintenance and management of the route and their upgrade to the motorway standards, inculuding dual carriageways when traffic volume eventually reaches 10,000 vehicles per day or when the average summer daily traffic reaches 16,000 vehicles. The latter was achieved in 2005 and the motorway upgrade works started in 2008, even though the AADT at the time was merely 8,500 vehicles. On 29 October 2011, the Kanfanar–Rogovići was upgraded to motorway standards, including four traffic lanes, and the route changed designation from the B8 to A8 conforming to applicable legislation.
Further planned expansion of the A8 route was agreed between BINA Istra and the government of Croatia. The agreement comprises construction of the additional carriageway and emergency lanes between Rogovići and Matulji interchanges, including the second Učka Tunnel tube. These works are scheduled to be carried out by late 2014 or early 2015. Authorities have also proposed to build a new route between Veprinac and Matulji interchanges to bypass Opatija area and the single at-grade intersection of the route. The new route is planned to form a junction with the A7 motorway near Permani
, north of the existing Jurdani
interchange.
. Substantial variations between annual (AADT) and summer (ASDT) traffic volumes are attributed to substantial tourist traffic to the northern Adriatic resorts. The route carries approximately 50 percent increased volume of traffic during summer, compared to the annual average figures.
The primary expressway operator, BINA Istra, leases the A, B and C type rest areas to various operators through public tenders. As of September 2011, INA was the rest-area operator on the A9 motorway. The rest area operators are not permitted to sub-lease the fuel operations. The A8 route rest areas are accessible from both directions of the motorway and operate operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f2f2f2;" colspan="6"| List of A8 motorway rest areas
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f2f2f2;"
|| County
|| km
|| Name
|| Operators
|| Type
|| Notes
|-
| Istria
| 46.6
| Vranja
| INA
| C
| Facilities found at the Vranja rest area comprise a filling station selling petrol and diesel fuel. The rest area is integrated in the Vranja exit interchange.
|-
| Primorje-Gorski Kotar
| 62.7
| Matulji
|
| D
| Facilities found at the Matulji rest area comprise a café and parking areas.
|-
!scope="col"|County
!scope="col"|km
!scope="col"|Exit
!scope="col"|Name
!scope="col"|Destination
!scope="col"|Notes
|-
| rowspan=9 |Istria
| 0.0
| align=center | 1
| Kanfanar
|
| bgcolor=#ddffdd |Connection to the A9 motorway as connection to Pula
to the south and Poreč
, Umag
, Koper, Slovenia
and Trieste
, Italy
to the north. The D303
state road serves Rovinj
.
The western terminus of the European route E751 concurrency
The western terminus of the road
|-
| 6.0
| align=center | 2
| Žminj
|
| Connection to Žminj and Barban
(D66
)
|-
| 16.8
| align=center | 3
| Rogovići
|
| Connection to Pazin
(west) and to the D64 state road
to Labin
.
|-
| 22.7
| align=center | 4
| Ivoli
|
| Connection to Pazin (east) and the D64
state road.
|-
| 27.8
| align=center | 5
| Cerovlje
|
| Connection to Cerovlje.
|-
| 40.3
| align=center | 6
| Lupoglav
|
| Connection to Lupoglav and Buzet
.
|-
| 46.6
| align=center |
| colspan=3 |Vranja rest area
|-
| 46.7
| align=center | 7
| Vranja
|
| Connection to Šušnjevica, Kršan
and further on towards the D64
state road.
|-
| 46.8
| align=center |
| colspan=2 |Učka Tunnel west toll plaza
| Eastbound traffic only is tolled at this toll plaza.
|-
| Istria
/ Primorje‑Gorski Kotar
| 49.3
| align=center colspan=4 |Učka Tunnel
|-
| rowspan=5 |Primorje‑Gorski Kotar
| 52.6
| align=center |
| colspan=2 |Učka Tunnel east toll plaza
| Westbound traffic only is tolled at this toll plaza.
|-
| 56.2
| align=center | 8
| Veprinac
|
| Connection to Veprinac, Ičići
and the D66
state road.
|-
| 62.7
| align=center |
| colspan=3 |Matulji rest area
|-
| 63.3
| align=center | 8b
| Opatija
|
| Connection to Opatija, Rijeka
via Kvarnerska Cesta (west); Ičići
and Lovran
via the D66
. This is the only exit along the expressway that is not grade separated, and is regulated by traffic lights.
|-
| 64.0
| align=center | 9
| Matulji
|
| bgcolor=#ddffdd |Connection to the A7
motorway (E61)
The eastern terminus of the European route E751 concurrency
The eastern terminus of the road
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
. It connects the A7 motorway
A7 (Croatia)
The A7 motorway is a long motorway in Croatia. It connects the nation's largest port in Rijeka, to the Croatian motorway network, as well as to the Rupa and Pasjak border crossings to Slovenia. The motorway forms part of a longitudinal transportation corridor in Croatia, and it is a part of...
near Rijeka
Rijeka
Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants...
with the road network in the Istria
Istria
Istria , formerly Histria , is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. The peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner...
n peninsula via the Učka Tunnel
Ucka Tunnel
The Učka Tunnel is a toll tunnel on the A8 motorway in Croatia. Being part of the Istrian Y network in Istria, it is wide and long, the third longest in Croatia after the Mala Kapela and Sveti Rok tunnels. The tunnel consists of a single tube, with two traffic lanes. Construction on the existing...
. The road terminates at the Kanfanar interchange
Kanfanar interchange
The Kanfanar interchange is a cloverleaf interchange west of Kanfanar, Croatia. The interchange represents the western terminus of the A8 motorway and it connects the A8 route to the A9 motorway representing major a link in the Croatian motorway system...
with the A9 motorway, as the two form the Istrian Y
Istrian Y
The Istrian Y is a highway complex in the Croatian highway network, consisting of section A8 Matulji-Kanfanar and section A9 Slovenia-Kanfanar-Pula. It is called the Istrian Y because it is shaped like the letter Y, with the three stretches all meeting at Kanfanar interchange in south central...
road system. The motorway's national significance is reflected in its positive economic impact
Economy of Croatia
Economy of Croatia is a service-based economy with the tertiary sector accounting for 70% of total gross domestic product . Croatian GDP in 2010 was 335.5 billion Croatian Kuna and contracted by 1.4% year-on-year...
on the cities and towns it connects, as well as its importance to tourism in Croatia
Tourism in Croatia
Tourism in Croatia is a well-developed industry. Many tourists visit to experience the country's extensive coastline and well-preserved coastal Renaissance towns...
. The importance of the motorway for tourism is particularly high during summer tourist seasons, when traffic volume increases by about 50 percent.
Construction of the A8 motorway and the Istrian Y can be traced back to 1968 when the Croatian Parliament decided to build a modern road linking Istria with the rest of Croatia. Subsequently, a public loan to fund the construction works was started. The construction works started in 1976 and in 1981 the Učka Tunnel and a 22.6 kilometres (14 mi) section of the route between Matulji and Lupoglav were completed as a single-carriageway expressway. Lupoglav–Cerovlje was the next section to be completed in 1988. The route was extended to Rogovići interchange between 1992 and 1998 and the remaining section to Kanfanar was completed in 1999 as a two-lane expressway. In 2011, the expressway route started to expand gradually with addition of a new carriageway and emergency lanes; the route's first section, the Kanfanar–Rogovići section, was completed in October 2011. Expansion of the route to the motorway standards including six lanes and grade separation of all its interchanges is scheduled by 2015, when the second tube of the Učka Tunnel as well as a new route connecting the tunnel to the A7 motorway is planned. As the construction works slowed down in the 1990s due to lack of funding, a build-operate-transfer
Build-Operate-Transfer
Build-own-operate-transfer or build-operate-transfer is a form of project financing, wherein a private entity receives a concession from the private or public sector to finance, design, construct, and operate a facility stated in the concession contract...
concession for the Istrian Y was granted to BINA Istra
BINA Istra
BINA Istra is a Croatian joint stock company founded in 1995 to facilitate construction and subsequent management of a Istrian Y motorway, consisting of the A8 motorway and the A9 motorway. On September 21, 1995, BINA Istra has been granted concession regarding management of the Istrian Y...
for a period of 32 years.
All intersections of the expressway are grade separated
Grade separation
Grade separation is the method of aligning a junction of two or more transport axes at different heights so that they will not disrupt the traffic flow on other transit routes when they cross each other. The composition of such transport axes does not have to be uniform; it can consist of a...
, except for a single intersection currently regulated by traffic lights, but this is planned to be bypassed eventually by a new route in the area. As of September 2011, there were ten exits and two rest area
Rest area
A rest area, travel plaza, rest stop, or service area is a public facility, located next to a large thoroughfare such as a highway, expressway, or freeway at which drivers and passengers can rest, eat, or refuel without exiting on to secondary roads...
s along the route. As the motorway is tolled
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
using a ticket system
Ticket system
A ticket system toll road A ticket system toll road A ticket system toll road (also known as closed toll collection system, as opposed to a flat-rate toll road, is utilized by some state toll road or highway agencies that allows a motorist to pay a toll rate based on the number of miles traveled...
, each exit includes a toll plaza. The A8/A9 system of the Istrian Y have an integrated toll system in place. The motorway is currently toll free, with an exception of the Učka Tunnel
Ucka Tunnel
The Učka Tunnel is a toll tunnel on the A8 motorway in Croatia. Being part of the Istrian Y network in Istria, it is wide and long, the third longest in Croatia after the Mala Kapela and Sveti Rok tunnels. The tunnel consists of a single tube, with two traffic lanes. Construction on the existing...
and the Kanfanar
Kanfanar interchange
The Kanfanar interchange is a cloverleaf interchange west of Kanfanar, Croatia. The interchange represents the western terminus of the A8 motorway and it connects the A8 route to the A9 motorway representing major a link in the Croatian motorway system...
-Rogovići
Route description
The A8 motorway is a significant east–west motorway in CroatiaCroatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, crossing the eastern and central parts of Istria
Istria
Istria , formerly Histria , is the largest peninsula in the Adriatic Sea. The peninsula is located at the head of the Adriatic between the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Kvarner...
. It connects Rijeka
Rijeka
Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants...
, the largest city on the northern Adriatic
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
coast of Croatia, to Istria via the Kanfanar interchange
Kanfanar interchange
The Kanfanar interchange is a cloverleaf interchange west of Kanfanar, Croatia. The interchange represents the western terminus of the A8 motorway and it connects the A8 route to the A9 motorway representing major a link in the Croatian motorway system...
shared with the A9 motorway. This part of road network of Croatia
Highways in Croatia
Highways in Croatia are the main transport network in Croatia.The Croatian classification includes several classes of highways:* The main motorways are named A accompanied by one or two digits...
is also a part of European route E751
European route E751
The European route E751, or E751, as defined by the Declaration on the Construction of Main International Traffic Arteries of 1975, and subsequent documents which amended the treaty, is an east-west Class-B branching European road route...
Koper–Kanfanar
Kanfanar
Kanfanar is a municipality in the central part of Istria, Croatia, 20 km northeast of Rovinj, on the edge of the Lim Cove, on the open limestone plain of Istria. The elevation is 281 m.Chief occupations are farming and livestock breeding...
–Pula and Kanfanar-Rijeka
Rijeka
Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants...
. The route is legally defined as the A8 motorway but its sections east of the Rogovići interchange are constructed as a two-lane expressway. The route is economically
Economy of Croatia
Economy of Croatia is a service-based economy with the tertiary sector accounting for 70% of total gross domestic product . Croatian GDP in 2010 was 335.5 billion Croatian Kuna and contracted by 1.4% year-on-year...
important to Croatia, especially for tourism
Tourism in Croatia
Tourism in Croatia is a well-developed industry. Many tourists visit to experience the country's extensive coastline and well-preserved coastal Renaissance towns...
and as a transit transport route. The road carries significant transit and tourist traffic route as it represents the largest-capacity road link between Istria and Kvarner Gulf
Kvarner Gulf
The Kvarner Gulf ); sometimes also Kvarner Bay, in Italian Quarnaro or Carnaro) is a bay in the northern Adriatic Sea, located between the Istrian peninsula and the northern Croatian seacoast....
region, and the nation's capital, Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
.
The motorway covers 64 kilometres (39.8 mi) between the Kanfanar interchange, where the A8 route terminates and motorway traffic switches to the A9 motorway and the D303 state road, and the Matulji
Matulji
Matulji is a municipality in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia. It is located west of the Croatian town Rijeka, north of the town of Opatija, and it borders Slovenia...
interchange with the A7 motorway
A7 (Croatia)
The A7 motorway is a long motorway in Croatia. It connects the nation's largest port in Rijeka, to the Croatian motorway network, as well as to the Rupa and Pasjak border crossings to Slovenia. The motorway forms part of a longitudinal transportation corridor in Croatia, and it is a part of...
. The A8 route also forms junctions with state roads D48 near Pazin
Pazin
Pazin is the administrative seat of Istria County in Croatia. The town has a population of 4,986 , the total Pazin municipality population is 9,227...
, D44 near Lupoglav
Lupoglav
Lupoglav is a village and municipality in Istria, Croatia. The population is 929 . The Castle Mahrenfels which belonged to the family Herberstein and later to the counts Brigido is situated over the village....
, connecting Buzet
Buzet
Buzet is a town in Istria, Croatia, population 6,059 . Already at the time of Venetian rule, Buzet supplied military stations and the local population with potable water. Today the region of Buze-stina is the central area of the future Native Park of Istria...
, D500 adjacent to the western portal of the Učka Tunnel
Ucka Tunnel
The Učka Tunnel is a toll tunnel on the A8 motorway in Croatia. Being part of the Istrian Y network in Istria, it is wide and long, the third longest in Croatia after the Mala Kapela and Sveti Rok tunnels. The tunnel consists of a single tube, with two traffic lanes. Construction on the existing...
and the D8 providing access to Volosko
Volosko
Volosko is a part of the city of Opatija, located in the Kvarner Gulf in western Croatia. It is located in the north of Opatija, on the road towards Kastav and Rijeka.-People:* Amelia Milka Sablich, born there...
, Opatija
Opatija
Opatija is a town in western Croatia, just southwest of Rijeka on the Adriatic coast. , the town proper had a population of 7,850, with the municipality having a total 12,719 inhabitants.-Geography:...
, Ičići
Ičići
Icici is a small place located in the north-east part of Istria, Croatia . It is located under a mountain Učka, on the north part of the Adriatic Sea....
and Lovran
Lovran
Lovran is a town in Istria, Croatia. It is situated on the western coast of the Kvarner Bay with a population of 3,241 . Its name derives from Laurel , as shown in the coat of arms....
. There are also several county roads forming direct junctions with the A8. In total, there are 10 exits along the route.
The A8 route consists of four traffic lanes west of the Rogovići interchange and two traffic lanes; emergency lay-bys are also available at different intervals along the rest of the route. The route comprises several types of road intersections at the motorway exits. All the exits, except the D8 junction near Opatija, are grade-separated intersections. The Kanfanar interchange
Kanfanar interchange
The Kanfanar interchange is a cloverleaf interchange west of Kanfanar, Croatia. The interchange represents the western terminus of the A8 motorway and it connects the A8 route to the A9 motorway representing major a link in the Croatian motorway system...
is a cloverleaf interchange
Cloverleaf interchange
A cloverleaf interchange is a two-level interchange in which left turns, reverse direction in left-driving regions, are handled by ramp roads...
. Žminj
Žminj
Žminj , a municipality in the central part of Istria , 15 km south of Pazin; elevation 355 m; population 3.447. It was first mentioned in 1177 as a parish of the Poreč diocese....
and Matulji
Matulji
Matulji is a municipality in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia. It is located west of the Croatian town Rijeka, north of the town of Opatija, and it borders Slovenia...
interchanges are trumpets, diamond interchange
Diamond interchange
A diamond interchange is a common type of road junction, used where a freeway crosses a minor road. The freeway itself is grade-separated from the minor road, one crossing the other over a bridge...
s are executed at Rogovići, Ivoli, Vranja and Veprinac—the last two somewhat modified, Lupoglav
Lupoglav
Lupoglav is a village and municipality in Istria, Croatia. The population is 929 . The Castle Mahrenfels which belonged to the family Herberstein and later to the counts Brigido is situated over the village....
interchange is a partial cloverleaf interchange and Cerovlje
Cerovlje
Cerovlje is a village and municipality at the very centre of the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. Many ancient settlements, old towns and once solid castles can be found on that territory...
exit comprises a hybrid diamond/parclo interchange. There are two rest areas along the route providing services, ranging from filling stations to cafés. As of September 2011, the motorway had ten interchanges and a roundabout at the northern terminus, the latter providing access to numerous towns and cities and the Croatian state road network.
An automatic traffic monitoring and guidance system is installed along the motorway. It consists of measuring, control and signalling devices located in zones where driving conditions may vary, such as at interchanges, viaducts, bridges and zones where fog and strong wind are known to occur. The system uses variable-traffic signs to communicate changing driving conditions, possible restrictions and other information to motorway users. The A8 motorway mainly runs through the rolling hills of Istria, although the eastern part of the route crosses under the Učka
Ucka
The Učka is a mountain range that rises behind Opatija riviera, on the Istrian peninsula, in northwestern Croatia. It forms a single morphological unit together with the Čičarija range which streches from the bay of Trieste to Rijeka...
mountain via the Učka Tunnel.
Učka Tunnel
The motorway passes through the 5062 metres (16,607.6 ft) Učka TunnelUcka Tunnel
The Učka Tunnel is a toll tunnel on the A8 motorway in Croatia. Being part of the Istrian Y network in Istria, it is wide and long, the third longest in Croatia after the Mala Kapela and Sveti Rok tunnels. The tunnel consists of a single tube, with two traffic lanes. Construction on the existing...
, the third-longest road tunnel in Croatia. It provides the shortest road connection between Istria and the remainder of the Croatian road network. There are only two traffic lanes in the tunnel, therefore vehicle speed in the tunnel is limited to 80 kilometres per hour (49.7 mph). It is equipped with 83 security cameras, 538 fire detectors, 39 fire hydrants, 74 emergency stations, and five vehicle emergency areas.
Toll
The A8 is a tolled expresswayToll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
based on the vehicle classification in Croatia
Vehicle classification in Croatia
There are two forms of vehicle classification in Croatia. Vehicles are classified by categories in the driving license and by categories for toll highways.- Driving license classification :- Toll categories :...
using a closed toll system
Ticket system
A ticket system toll road A ticket system toll road A ticket system toll road (also known as closed toll collection system, as opposed to a flat-rate toll road, is utilized by some state toll road or highway agencies that allows a motorist to pay a toll rate based on the number of miles traveled...
. The ticket system was introduced all along the Istrian Y system as of June 2011. Toll is charged for use of the Učka Tunnel and the Kanfanar–Rogovići section only, and the remaining sections of the motorway are toll-free as of November 2011. Regardless, toll tickets are issued and collected on all expressway exits, even though some travel distances may be free of charge, since the A8 and the A9 routes share a unified ticket system. Therefore vehicles switching between the A8 and the A9 at the Kanfanar interchange are charged toll only as they leave the Istrian Y system no matter where their toll ticket was issued. The toll charge for the entire length of the motorway ranges from 36.00 kuna
Croatian kuna
The kuna is the currency of Croatia since 1994 . It is subdivided into 100 lipa. The kuna is issued by the Croatian National Bank and the coins are minted by the Croatian Monetary Institute....
(€
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
4.80) for passenger cars to 205.00 kuna (€27.33) for semi-trailer truck
Semi-trailer truck
A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semi, tractor-trailer, or articulated truck or articulated lorry, is an articulated vehicle consisting of a towing engine , and a semi-trailer A semi-trailer truck, also known as a semi, tractor-trailer, or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) articulated truck...
s. The toll is payable in either Croatian kuna or euros using major credit cards, debit cards and a number of prepaid toll collection systems. The latter includes various types of smart cards issued by the motorway operator and ENC, an electronic toll collection
Electronic toll collection
Electronic toll collection , an adaptation of military "identification friend or foe" technology, aims to eliminate the delay on toll roads by collecting tolls electronically. It is thus a technological implementation of a road pricing concept...
(ETC) system which is shared at most motorways in Croatia and provides drivers with discounted toll rates for dedicated lanes at toll plazas.
The operator of the expressway, BINA Istra, reported 65.8 million kuna (€8.9 million), without VAT, of income in the first half of 2011. This represented a 30.8-percent increase compared to the same period of the previous year. The figure includes the entire Istrian Y system, i.e. the A8 expressway and the A9 motorway. Major part of the increase is attributed to introduction of the closed toll system along the A9 route, replacing an open toll system where the toll was charged at the Mirna Bridge
Mirna Bridge
The Mirna Bridge is located between the Nova Vas and Višnjan interchanges of the A9 motorway in Istria, Croatia, spanning the Mirna River and the wide Mirna River valley. It is long and comprises two traffic lanes. The bridge has been open for traffic since June 2005. The bridge is one of the most...
and the Učka Tunnel only.
History
Construction of the A8 motorway and the Istrian Y as a whole has its origin in 1968, when the Croatian Parliament endorsed a petition of legislators from Istria to promote construction of a modern road between the peninsula and the rest of Croatia. Subsequently, municipalities in Istria started a public loan to fund construction of the Učka Tunnel. From 1976 and 1981, construction works occurred, which also comprised construction of a 22.6 kilometres (14 mi) section of the route between Matulji and Lupoglav.The Y shape formed by the A8 and the A9 routes was originally defined by spatial planning documents enacted in Rijeka and Istria, subsequently incorporated in spatial planning documents of the Republic of Croatia in 1988. Lupoglav–Cerovlje was the next section to be completed in 1988. The A8 route was extended to Rogovići interchange between 1992 and 1998 and the remaining section to Kanfanar was completed in 1999.
As the construction works were comparatively slow due to lack of funding, a motorway concession for the A8 and A9 motorways was granted to BINA Istra for a period of 32 years. The build-operate-transfer
Build-Operate-Transfer
Build-own-operate-transfer or build-operate-transfer is a form of project financing, wherein a private entity receives a concession from the private or public sector to finance, design, construct, and operate a facility stated in the concession contract...
concession agreement mandated construction, maintenance and management of the route and their upgrade to the motorway standards, inculuding dual carriageways when traffic volume eventually reaches 10,000 vehicles per day or when the average summer daily traffic reaches 16,000 vehicles. The latter was achieved in 2005 and the motorway upgrade works started in 2008, even though the AADT at the time was merely 8,500 vehicles. On 29 October 2011, the Kanfanar–Rogovići was upgraded to motorway standards, including four traffic lanes, and the route changed designation from the B8 to A8 conforming to applicable legislation.
Further construction
As of September 2011, the A8 route sections between Kanfanar and Rogovići interchanges were being expanded to meet motorway standards, including the second carriageway and the emergency lanes. The works are scheduled to be completed by the October 2011. The expansion was commenced by the A8 operator, BINA Istra, immediately following a similar expansion of the A9, where the entire route was widened except for the two largest bridges whose expansion was postponed. The expansion of the A8 is limited to the Kanfanar–Rogovići section because the remainder of the route requires additional permits and consequently an extended preparation period. The construction works performed along the section entail deep and long cuts requiring temporary suspensions of traffic due to explosive blasting.Further planned expansion of the A8 route was agreed between BINA Istra and the government of Croatia. The agreement comprises construction of the additional carriageway and emergency lanes between Rogovići and Matulji interchanges, including the second Učka Tunnel tube. These works are scheduled to be carried out by late 2014 or early 2015. Authorities have also proposed to build a new route between Veprinac and Matulji interchanges to bypass Opatija area and the single at-grade intersection of the route. The new route is planned to form a junction with the A7 motorway near Permani
Permani
Permani is a village in Croatia. It is connected by the D8 highway....
, north of the existing Jurdani
Jurdani
Jurdani is a village in Croatia....
interchange.
Traffic volume
Traffic is regularly counted and reported by BINA Istra, operator of the expressway, and published by Hrvatske cesteHrvatske ceste
Hrvatske ceste is a Croatian state-owned company pursuant to provisions of the Croatian Public Roads Act , the county and local roads are managed by county authorities, while the motorways are managed by Croatian Motorways Ltd and other concessionaires.The company is currently administered by a...
. Substantial variations between annual (AADT) and summer (ASDT) traffic volumes are attributed to substantial tourist traffic to the northern Adriatic resorts. The route carries approximately 50 percent increased volume of traffic during summer, compared to the annual average figures.
| A8 traffic volume details | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road | Counting site | AADT | ASDT | Notes |
| A8 | 2808 Lupoglav south | 6,624 | 10,114 | Between D44 D44 (Croatia) D44 is a state road connecting D21 state road south of Buje to A8 expressway via Buzet. The road is long.The road also provides connections to numerous towns and cities in central Istria, most notably to Lupoglav, Buzet, Motovun either directly or via numerous roads connecting to D44... and Ž5046 junctions |
| A8 | 2812 Učka Tunnel toll plaza | 7,670 | 11,087 | Between D500 D500 (Croatia) D500 is a state road connecting A8 motorway to Kršan and D64 state road. The road is long.The road, as well as all other state roads in Croatia, is managed and maintained by Hrvatske ceste, state owned company.- Traffic volume :... and Ž5048 junctions |
Rest areas
As of September 2011, there were two rest areas along the A8 route. Legislation identifies four types of rest areas designated as types "A" through "D" – A-type rest areas comprise a full range of amenities, including a filling station, a restaurant and a hotel or motel; B-type rest areas have no lodging; C-type rest areas are very common and include a filling station and a café, but no restaurants or accommodations; while D-type rest areas only offer parking spaces, possibly picnicking tables and benches, and restrooms. Even though rest areas found along the A4 motorway generally follow this ranking system, some of them offer extra services. The filling stations regularly have small convenience stores, and some of them may offer LPG fuel.The primary expressway operator, BINA Istra, leases the A, B and C type rest areas to various operators through public tenders. As of September 2011, INA was the rest-area operator on the A9 motorway. The rest area operators are not permitted to sub-lease the fuel operations. The A8 route rest areas are accessible from both directions of the motorway and operate operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
| style="text-align:center; background:#f2f2f2;" colspan="6"| List of A8 motorway rest areas
|- style="text-align:center; background:#f2f2f2;"
|| County
|| km
|| Name
|| Operators
|| Type
|| Notes
|-
| Istria
Istria County
Istria County is the westernmost county of Croatia which includes the biggest part of the Istrian peninsula . The area of the county is called Istra in Croatian and Slovene...
| 46.6
| Vranja
| INA
| C
| Facilities found at the Vranja rest area comprise a filling station selling petrol and diesel fuel. The rest area is integrated in the Vranja exit interchange.
|-
| Primorje-Gorski Kotar
Primorje-Gorski Kotar County
Primorje-Gorski kotar County is a county in western Croatia that includes the Bay of Kvarner and the surrounding Northern Croatian seacoast, and the mountainous region of Gorski kotar...
| 62.7
| Matulji
|
| D
| Facilities found at the Matulji rest area comprise a café and parking areas.
Exit list
{| class="wikitable"|-
!scope="col"|County
!scope="col"|km
!scope="col"|Exit
!scope="col"|Name
!scope="col"|Destination
!scope="col"|Notes
|-
| rowspan=9 |Istria
Istria County
Istria County is the westernmost county of Croatia which includes the biggest part of the Istrian peninsula . The area of the county is called Istra in Croatian and Slovene...
| 0.0
| align=center | 1
| Kanfanar
Kanfanar
Kanfanar is a municipality in the central part of Istria, Croatia, 20 km northeast of Rovinj, on the edge of the Lim Cove, on the open limestone plain of Istria. The elevation is 281 m.Chief occupations are farming and livestock breeding...
|
| bgcolor=#ddffdd |Connection to the A9 motorway as connection to Pula
Pula
Pula is the largest city in Istria County, Croatia, situated at the southern tip of the Istria peninsula, with a population of 62,080 .Like the rest of the region, it is known for its mild climate, smooth sea, and unspoiled nature. The city has a long tradition of winemaking, fishing,...
to the south and Poreč
Porec
Poreč is a town and municipality on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula, in Istria County, Croatia. Its major landmark is the 6th century Euphrasian Basilica, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997....
, Umag
Umag
Umag is a coastal city in Istria, Croatia.The city hosts the yearly Croatia Open ATP tennis tournament on clay courts.-Geography:It is the westernmost city of Croatia, and the municipality includes Savudrija which is westernmost point of Croatia....
, Koper, Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
and Trieste
Trieste
Trieste is a city and seaport in northeastern Italy. It is situated towards the end of a narrow strip of land lying between the Adriatic Sea and Italy's border with Slovenia, which lies almost immediately south and east of the city...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
to the north. The D303
D303 (Croatia)
D303 is a state road connecting A9 and A8 motorways to Rovinj. The road is 13.5 km long.The road, as well as all other state roads in Croatia, is managed and maintained by Hrvatske ceste, state owned company.- Traffic volume :...
state road serves Rovinj
Rovinj
Rovinj is a city in Croatia situated on the north Adriatic Sea with a population of 13,562 . It is located on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula and is a popular tourist resort and an active fishing port...
.
The western terminus of the European route E751 concurrency
Concurrency (road)
A concurrency, overlap, or coincidence in a road network is an instance of one physical road bearing two or more different highway, motorway, or other route numbers...
The western terminus of the road
|-
| 6.0
| align=center | 2
| Žminj
Žminj
Žminj , a municipality in the central part of Istria , 15 km south of Pazin; elevation 355 m; population 3.447. It was first mentioned in 1177 as a parish of the Poreč diocese....
|
| Connection to Žminj and Barban
Barban
Barban is a small town and municipality in the southern part of eastern Istria, Croatia, 28 km northeast of Pula, above the Raša river valley; elevation 229 m....
(D66
D66 (Croatia)
D66 is a state road connecting A9 motorway with D8 state road in Matulji. D66 road serves as a connection to a number of towns and resorts along the eastern coast of Istria peninsula, including Opatija, Lovran and Ičići, as well as to Brestova ferry port, from which Jadrolinija ferries fly to...
)
|-
| 16.8
| align=center | 3
| Rogovići
|
| Connection to Pazin
Pazin
Pazin is the administrative seat of Istria County in Croatia. The town has a population of 4,986 , the total Pazin municipality population is 9,227...
(west) and to the D64 state road
D64 (Croatia)
D64 is a state road connecting the city of Pazin with D66 state road in Vozilići.The D64 road thus serves as a connection between the central Istria and resorts along the eastern coast of Istria peninsula, including Opatija, Lovran and Ičići, as well as to Brestova ferry port, from which...
to Labin
Labin
Labin is a town in Istria, Croatia, with a town population of 6,884 and 11,703 in the greater municipality ....
.
|-
| 22.7
| align=center | 4
| Ivoli
|
| Connection to Pazin (east) and the D64
D64 (Croatia)
D64 is a state road connecting the city of Pazin with D66 state road in Vozilići.The D64 road thus serves as a connection between the central Istria and resorts along the eastern coast of Istria peninsula, including Opatija, Lovran and Ičići, as well as to Brestova ferry port, from which...
state road.
|-
| 27.8
| align=center | 5
| Cerovlje
Cerovlje
Cerovlje is a village and municipality at the very centre of the Istrian peninsula in Croatia. Many ancient settlements, old towns and once solid castles can be found on that territory...
|
| Connection to Cerovlje.
|-
| 40.3
| align=center | 6
| Lupoglav
Lupoglav
Lupoglav is a village and municipality in Istria, Croatia. The population is 929 . The Castle Mahrenfels which belonged to the family Herberstein and later to the counts Brigido is situated over the village....
|
| Connection to Lupoglav and Buzet
Buzet
Buzet is a town in Istria, Croatia, population 6,059 . Already at the time of Venetian rule, Buzet supplied military stations and the local population with potable water. Today the region of Buze-stina is the central area of the future Native Park of Istria...
.
|-
| 46.6
| align=center |
| colspan=3 |Vranja rest area
|-
| 46.7
| align=center | 7
| Vranja
|
| Connection to Šušnjevica, Kršan
Kršan
Kršan is a village and municipality in the central part of Istria, Croatia, 15 km north of Labin. The elevation is 50 m. The population is 3.264 . The chief occupation is farming. Kršan is located on the regional road Vozilići - Podpićan....
and further on towards the D64
D64 (Croatia)
D64 is a state road connecting the city of Pazin with D66 state road in Vozilići.The D64 road thus serves as a connection between the central Istria and resorts along the eastern coast of Istria peninsula, including Opatija, Lovran and Ičići, as well as to Brestova ferry port, from which...
state road.
|-
| 46.8
| align=center |
| colspan=2 |Učka Tunnel west toll plaza
| Eastbound traffic only is tolled at this toll plaza.
|-
| Istria
Istria County
Istria County is the westernmost county of Croatia which includes the biggest part of the Istrian peninsula . The area of the county is called Istra in Croatian and Slovene...
/ Primorje‑Gorski Kotar
Primorje-Gorski Kotar County
Primorje-Gorski kotar County is a county in western Croatia that includes the Bay of Kvarner and the surrounding Northern Croatian seacoast, and the mountainous region of Gorski kotar...
| 49.3
| align=center colspan=4 |Učka Tunnel
Ucka Tunnel
The Učka Tunnel is a toll tunnel on the A8 motorway in Croatia. Being part of the Istrian Y network in Istria, it is wide and long, the third longest in Croatia after the Mala Kapela and Sveti Rok tunnels. The tunnel consists of a single tube, with two traffic lanes. Construction on the existing...
|-
| rowspan=5 |Primorje‑Gorski Kotar
Primorje-Gorski Kotar County
Primorje-Gorski kotar County is a county in western Croatia that includes the Bay of Kvarner and the surrounding Northern Croatian seacoast, and the mountainous region of Gorski kotar...
| 52.6
| align=center |
| colspan=2 |Učka Tunnel east toll plaza
| Westbound traffic only is tolled at this toll plaza.
|-
| 56.2
| align=center | 8
| Veprinac
|
| Connection to Veprinac, Ičići
Ičići
Icici is a small place located in the north-east part of Istria, Croatia . It is located under a mountain Učka, on the north part of the Adriatic Sea....
and the D66
D66 (Croatia)
D66 is a state road connecting A9 motorway with D8 state road in Matulji. D66 road serves as a connection to a number of towns and resorts along the eastern coast of Istria peninsula, including Opatija, Lovran and Ičići, as well as to Brestova ferry port, from which Jadrolinija ferries fly to...
state road.
|-
| 62.7
| align=center |
| colspan=3 |Matulji rest area
|-
| 63.3
| align=center | 8b
| Opatija
Opatija
Opatija is a town in western Croatia, just southwest of Rijeka on the Adriatic coast. , the town proper had a population of 7,850, with the municipality having a total 12,719 inhabitants.-Geography:...
|
| Connection to Opatija, Rijeka
Rijeka
Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants...
via Kvarnerska Cesta (west); Ičići
Ičići
Icici is a small place located in the north-east part of Istria, Croatia . It is located under a mountain Učka, on the north part of the Adriatic Sea....
and Lovran
Lovran
Lovran is a town in Istria, Croatia. It is situated on the western coast of the Kvarner Bay with a population of 3,241 . Its name derives from Laurel , as shown in the coat of arms....
via the D66
D66 (Croatia)
D66 is a state road connecting A9 motorway with D8 state road in Matulji. D66 road serves as a connection to a number of towns and resorts along the eastern coast of Istria peninsula, including Opatija, Lovran and Ičići, as well as to Brestova ferry port, from which Jadrolinija ferries fly to...
. This is the only exit along the expressway that is not grade separated, and is regulated by traffic lights.
|-
| 64.0
| align=center | 9
| Matulji
Matulji
Matulji is a municipality in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia. It is located west of the Croatian town Rijeka, north of the town of Opatija, and it borders Slovenia...
|
| bgcolor=#ddffdd |Connection to the A7
A7 (Croatia)
The A7 motorway is a long motorway in Croatia. It connects the nation's largest port in Rijeka, to the Croatian motorway network, as well as to the Rupa and Pasjak border crossings to Slovenia. The motorway forms part of a longitudinal transportation corridor in Croatia, and it is a part of...
motorway (E61)
The eastern terminus of the European route E751 concurrency
The eastern terminus of the road
See also
- International E-road networkInternational E-road networkThe international E-road network is a numbering system for roads in Europe developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe . The network is numbered from E 1 up and its roads cross national borders...
- Transport in CroatiaTransport in CroatiaTransport in Croatia relies on several main modes, including transport by road, rail, water and air. Road transport incorporates a comprehensive network of state, county and local routes augmented by a network of highways for long-distance travelling...